Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help

CHRISTINE BRUNNER returns to the stage after the long pandemic-induced arts hibernation.  Previously with HRTC: Permanent Collection, A Christmas Carol, Steel Magnolias, Romeo and Juliet (in-school tour) and the live-recorded Radio Drama Adventures In Time.  Feature Film:  Adeline, Who is Amos Otis?, Bloodstock.  Christine is a veteran Voiceover Artist, union Hand Model and busy commercial actor, works as a professional Dialect Coach to schools and theatre groups, and as a private Acting Coach to students ages 9-59.  Christine is thankful for the continued love and support from her artsy daughter and composer husband, and dedicates this performance to her ACTUAL, wonderfully dysfunctional, Irish Catholic family.

CECILY DOWD is a recent graduate of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University with a degree in musical theatre. Although now based out of Los Angeles, they had a number of credits in Dayton throughout high school, including One Slight Hitch with HRTC as P.B. Coleman. Other credits through college/summer stock include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown, Katherine Plumber in Newsies, #2 in the wolves with the St. Louis Rep., and various short films rendering their release. Beyond grateful to be back at the Human Race, they hope you enjoy the show!  Instagram: @cecily_dowd    Website: www.cecilydowd.com

MIERKA GIRTEN is thrilled to return to The Human Race Theatre. Dayton audiences have seen Mierka as Maria Callas in Master Class, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and Tina Turner and Leslie Gore in Beehive among many others. For the last 20+ years, she has made Chicago her home as an actress, casting director and producer, where she is an ensemble member with award winning A Red Orchid Theatre. Some of her favorite productions have included Sweat at The Goodman, Into the Woods at Porchlight Theatre, The Walls at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, her one woman show With or Without Wings with Baum House, Gloria at McCarter Theatre Center with Mary McDonald as well as Simpatico and Mistakes Were Made with Michael Shannon. Mierka had the rare opportunity to be seen on the first episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. Additionally, she has been doing voice over work for regional and national brands for the past 25 years. Mierka is a graduate of Wright State University, Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

LIZZIE HUELSKAMP is excited to be making her Human Race Theatre debut! When she’s not watching Bogart and Bacall movies, Lizzie can usually be found in the BalletMet studios, where she trains in ballet, tap, and jazz five days a week. Favorite acting credits include: Annie (Annie, City of Columbus), Ariel (Little Mermaid, Star Performance), Dickon (Secret Garden, Actor’s Theatre/Columbus Children’s Theatre), Esther Jane (A Christmas Story, Weathervane Playhouse) and Jo (The Show Must Go On, Broadway Workshop/Taylor Louderman). Favorite concert credits include Celebration of Music (PBS), Sondheim Stories (Broadway Kids Auditions) and A Very BAA Christmas (Broadway Artists Alliance). Lizzie would like to acknowledge all of her friends, family and teachers for their constant support. She would also like to thank the entire cast, crew and directors of The Human Race Theatre Company, as well as you, the audience for supporting live theatre!  Here’s looking at you, Sweethearts!!

JASON PODPLESKY is thrilled to be back at The Human Race Theatre, having previously been in Sylvia, 26 Pebbles, and Becky’s New Car. In New York, he has worked with The Flea Theater, The Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Source, The Public Theatre, and MCC Theater. Regionally, his credits include CATCO, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and Concert:Nova. Jason can also be seen in the films Christmas Collision and Western World. He holds an MFA from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and a BFA from Otterbein University. Jason is currently an adjunct professor at Wright State University and Sinclair Community College.